Saturday, April 30, 2011

Every stage in life is so different.I'm learning to see each stage as an adventure. A dear friend, and woman I look up to very much, was telling me about how she recently found out that her husband must undergo open heart surgery. Now, if you knew my friend, you would know that she and her family have been through some extremely difficult trials in the past couple of years. And yet, in the midst of this new, huge trial, my friend was joyful, hopeful, calm, and even kept her sense of humor! I was amazed at her deep trust in the Lord which kept her so composed with a gentle, quiet, unfrazzled spirit! When she explained the situation of her husband's illness, she described it as "their newest adventure."

Since that conversation with my friend, I can't get that idea out of my mind. Adventure! Every stage in my life, every place where God has me, every trial I go through, I must see it as an adventure!

Friday, April 22, 2011

For me, Good Friday has always been overshadowed by Easter. But for some reason this year it has gained more significance to me. I think about the people worshipping Christ as he entered the city, shouting hosanna, and laying their coats on the ground for Him. And then, just a few days later they were spitting on Him, mocking Him, and nailing Him to a cross to die.

I'm just as fickle. One moment I am praising Him with my lips and rejoicing over what He has done and the next moment I question His goodness and His plan in my life. I am like the disciples who can't even stay awake to pray for one hour in His time of greatest need. I sleep as He anguishes in prayer in some of the last moments of His life. I rest as He sweats drops of blood.

But He STILL died for me and He rose again and conquered death so that I might live in newness of life and spend eternity with Him forever!

Friday, April 15, 2011

So, today at work I'm ALL BY MYSELF! What should I do?Stop at Jamba Juice on my way to work?Turn my music up and sing at the top of my lungs?Listen to This American Life?Go out to lunch?Yep. Sounds good to me!

Friday, April 08, 2011

There's been a recurring theme in my life the past couple of weeks and that is--be still and know that I am God. What exactly does it mean to be still before God. Whatever it is, I know I don't do it enough. Things get so busy and hectic. Even my time in the Word doesn't feel like I am being STILL.

I'm striving to figure this out. For now I think to meditate on Scripture and let it permeate me, to let God speak to me through his Word, and to acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in all things is a good start.

Saturday, April 02, 2011

I'm starting to see something. The Christian life is all about battling our sin until the day comes when we are without sin! And that means death or until Jesus comes back. For the believer, life is not going to be easy. Because we are in a war! A lot of Christians want life to be neat and clean and tied up in a pretty little package. God never promises that. Even our sin is "neat" and respectable. But the truth is, that's not the case. Even if we think our life is nice and neat, it's not. Our sin is ugly and dirty. We are desperate, and there's no point in pretending we're better than we really are.

That's what makes His forgiveness so lavish! The fact that we are so depraved, and yet He chooses to forgive us, is astounding. His forgiveness makes our scarlet sins as white as snow. The restoration, healing, and blessing God can bring out of our lowest point is incomprehensible. I've seen it! It is real.